Globe, DTI Advocate Responsible Business Practices for MSMEs

Globe and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have joined hands in advocating for responsible business practices for online vendors and to stimulate growth among micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

The partnership is headlined by a six-month subsidy of the m360 messaging platform, which will serve as an information dissemination tool for DTI. m360 is a company under 917Ventures and the Globe Group which broadcasts messages to multiple recipients via SMS or FB messenger.

This collaboration is part of Globe’s support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9, which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development, and UN SDG 17, which highlights the value of partnerships in achieving the SDGs.

Under the partnership, both parties will also develop digital learning content on tech literacy through eLearning videos and social media content, among others.

While movement restrictions during the pandemic had a huge impact on MSMEs, the pandemic also accelerated the adoption of businesses to digital storefronts and ecommerce. To make digital transformation easier for MSMEs, the materials will tackle topics such as e-wallets, how to maximize applications with the use of APIs (Application Programming Interface), mobile tech solutions for businesses, and emerging technologies such as cloud and data analytics.

The collaboration includes Globe eLibrary as a free platform for DTI in providing learning content to its stakeholders. It can be accessed by Globe and TM subscribers without data charges.

“We want to help our MSME's in their journey to digital. We know that many of them are struggling to integrate technology in their operations. We are hopeful that with this intervention, we can speed up their digital adoption and help stimulate business growth,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer.

“Our partnership with Globe enables us to further expand our advocacy in supporting MSMEs through digital interventions that these small businesses may otherwise have no access to. We are grateful to have the country’s leading digital solutions platform supporting them in their journey to business recovery and growth,” said Trade Undersecretary Ireneo Vizmonte.

Meanwhile, Globe Business also offers digital solutions to MSMEs to help them build their livelihood, support their families, and grow their communities. Over 99 percent of businesses in the country are MSMEs, according to DTI data.

“Businesses need to equip themselves with all the right connectivity and digital tools so they are ready to face the future. These tools can help them address their operational, marketing, and security challenges such as reaching new customers, increasing engagement with their existing clients, facilitating collaboration among their staff and employees while streamlining operations,” Crisanto said.

Among the reliable and tried-and-tested digital solutions that MSMEs may use are the Vehicle Tracker for real-time monitoring of fleet vehicles, Cloud Payroll for automated payroll processing, and ChatGenie, which lets business owners manage all their transactions across different channels in one platform.